Students Take to Social Media to Defend Teacher

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Students at Mayo High School in Rochester are using Twitter to defend a teacher they say is being punished for swearing in class.

Jon Thorson is an English and speech teacher at Mayo. Students say he said the f word in class last week, and hasn't been at school since.

ABC 6 News contacted Rochester Public Schools and the Rochester Education Association, but neither would comment on the situation calling it a "personnel matter."

Past and current students have now started a campaign on Twitter using #FreeThorson, with the goal of getting the teacher back at school. Hundreds have tweeted. Some call the situation "ridiculous" others say he's "the best teacher they've had."

ABC 6 News has learned a petition effort if also underway. We'll have more on that and hear from students tonight on ABC 6 News at 10:00.